Chez Riva Continued

March 17th, 2024 § 0 comments § permalink

After tea and almond cookies, HG thought gifted daughter, Lesley R., and HG would be heading back to HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft, for dinner. Nope. Lesley decided to cook dinner at her and husband Massimo’s Riverside, RI, waterview home (17 minute drive from Central Falls). And, what a dinner it was!! Started with aperitifs of Pinot Grigio spritzes. This was followed by steaming bowls of penne in broccoli sauce. This is a BSK specialty. Have to admit: Lesley’s version is as good as her Mom’s (BSK is having an art-filled vacation in the charming Italian city of Padua and might take issue with HG’s culinary assertion). Professore Massimo was in charge of the latter part of the meal–a cheese platter of state of the art gorgonzola, truffle cheese, parmesan,  Companion was a Massimo selected bottle of red wine. Rhody epicures.

Joy At Chez Riva

March 13th, 2024 § 0 comments § permalink

Distinguished Professor Massimo Riva had professional duties today so Lesley (his wife and HG/BSK’s gifted daughter) drove HG from HG/BSK’s Central Falls RI, loft to the Rivas’ water view home in nearby Riverside.  Toby, The Wonder Dog, and Pip, the Gentle Genius lady dog, were overjoyed to see Lesley and HG. Warm and sunny day so there was cozy facial sunbathing on the deck. Lesley fed HG a lush lunch—spicy pureed squash curry soup topped with a scoop of sour cream. Lush and warming. When the Professor came home in the afternoon, he, Lesley and HG had a civilized cuppa tea with almond cookies.Seated in a comfortable rocker, HG read Cormac McCarthy’s “All The Pretty Horses.” Yes, much loved BSK has been missed as BSK is being drenched with art,architecture and Veneto cuisine in the charming Italian city of Padua (Close to Venice). However, Lesley and Massimo  are bringing daily joy to  HG. Famiglia!!!

Sadness. But, Silver Lining.

March 11th, 2024 § 0 comments § permalink

HG, for the last eight months, has been recovering from a broken hip and two surgeries. So, BSK had more than a score of duties to help the old guy heal and get mobile. HG has been in character–irascible, impatient and loud. BSK deserves beatification. With BSK’s 24 hour/seven day aid, HG has made admirable progress. BSK deserves a vacation filled with art, splendid food and history. Thus. BSK took off today to the lovely Italian city of Padua–close to Venice. BSK will be met by beautiful, brilliant granddaughter Sofia (Sofia has been living in Padua while absorbed in her post graduate scholarly pursuits). BSK’s absence saddens HG. But, there’s a silver lining. Gifted daughter Lesley R. has moved into HG/BSK’s Central Falls loft to watch over HG. And, to add luster to the silver lining, Lesley and granddaughter Arianna (in Rhody for a brief family visit) brought a Chinese feast from Chengdu Taste Chinese Restaurant for dinner. We all clinked wine glasses as we wished BSK a joyous time in Padua and Venice. Yes, there are few things better than having Lesley as a live in companion.

Black Pepper Chicken

March 7th, 2024 § 0 comments § permalink

Woks of Life (website and cookbooks) is a good source for Chinese recipes. And, that’s where BSK found “Black Pepper Chicken”. There were boneless skinless chicken thighs in the fridge. After giving the recipe some attention, BSK cooked a delightful dinner. The chicken was cut into thin strips and marinated. The strips went into a smoking wok and browned quickly–then removed from the wok and put in a bowl. Heat was turned down and onion and garlic were softened in the hot peanut  oil. Peppers and celery were added plus cooking wine around the rim of the wok. Chicken went back in the wok with chicken stock, some water and a rich mix composed of two types of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Many grinds of black pepper. Big bowls of basmati rice on the table (congee in the ayem). Happy eating for dinner and rice porridge in the future.

Rhody = Paree

March 4th, 2024 § 0 comments § permalink

Yes, HG dined in HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft. And, the grey sole HG ate was as good as any pricey Dover Sole served in Paris. (Slight overstatement. The Dover Sole served at Le Dome in Montparnasse still rules. BSK has reservations because Le Dome’s version swims in a pool of melted butter.It’s fattening and BSK believes it blunts the austere purity of the dish).  BSK bought the grey sole at Providence’s Fearless Fish Market (Peerless marketer of numerous varieties of fresh caught fish as well as oysters, clams, house made gravlax, etc.). The sole had been caught that morning in the Atlantic waters off Gloucester, MA. BSK sauteed the fish to an appropriate degree of firmness. No seasoning except for salt, pepper and lemon juice. HG was in heaven, eating perfect sole at one fourth of Parisian prices. Worthy companions were chopped spinach and olive oil smashed potatoes. BSK turned Rhody home into a 9th Arrondissement bistro.

Uyghur Cuisine

March 1st, 2024 § 0 comments § permalink

The Uyghurs are a Muslim, Turkic speaking ethnic group. Some 11,000,000 live in Xinjiang, China’s most western province. Their culture has been heavily influenced by their proximity to the Middle East. Their cuisine is robust relying on lamb, noodles (hand pulled), yogurt and vegetable stews. There is a Uyghur restaurant in Providence–Jahunger on Wickenden Street. Gifted daughter, Lesley R., and brilliant son-in-law Massimo brought a lavish dinner from there for a feast at HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft. Some of the ingredients: Two types of hand pulled noodles (best ever) with gravy and lamb, peppers, vegetable stew and more, much more. HG/BSK agreed: This was super tasty Asian/Middle Eastern/Chinese food.

Sheet Pan Magic

February 29th, 2024 § 0 comments § permalink

There was fabulous sheet pan fish and vegetables to relish for dinner last night. BSK lined a sheet pan with a variety of chopped vegetables–zucchini, fennel, peppers, onions, etc. Filets of fresh hake topped the melange which got a robust splash of olive oil plus a dusting of fresh and dried herbs. When plated, there was a shower of chopped scallions. Don’t know how BSK did it but the fish was juicy and moist and flaked easily. The veggies were cooked to the right al dente point. Obviously, BSK has a mysterious sense of timing. HG accompanied the dish with spoonfuls of Kewpie mayonnaise mixed with sriracha. BSK scores again.

Best Broccoli Sauce

February 26th, 2024 § 0 comments § permalink

Yes, BSK makes the best broccoli sauce. And, she serves it over Orecchiette (little ears) pasta in the Calabrese fashion. Last night, BSK served it with bowls of excellent local mozzarella and chunks of Kumatoe. Worthy additions. HG was reminded of HG’s first meeting with his son-in-law Massimo R. many decades ago. Massimo was very nervous (for good reason). He and HG’s glorious young daughter, Lesley, were living together. He was 11 years older than Lesley (same HG/BSK age difference). He had nø idea how he would be received by Lesley’s parents. Not to worry. An excellent meal soon banished cøncerns. HG/BSK and the two lovers were dining at Delsomma, the very good (long closed) New York theater district Italian restaurant. First course was penne in broccoli sauce (inspiration for BSK’s later version). Then on to veal dishes and pork chops with vinegar peppers. Massimo chose the wine (he has now been doing  this for hundreds of family meals).  Then dessert and grappa. His nervousness disappeared and HG/BSK admired the movie star handsome, erudite gourmand. It was obvious that Massimo and Lesley were in love and were an ideal couple. Massimo and Lesley have had a long happy marriage producing two beautiful, brilliant daughters (both in their 20s).  Tonight, L. and M. are dining at HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft. They may be bringing Chinese food. After years of geographic separation, HG/BSK are overjoyed to be close to L. and M. in the Ocean State.

The Egg

February 25th, 2024 § 0 comments § permalink

Yes, the egg is nature’s most beautiful object.  For eating, HG prefers conventional domestic chicken eggs available in supermarkets, convenience  stores, etc. HG rarely ate eggs until HG met and married BSK, the ultimate egg cook. BSK introduced HG to a childhood treat: Egg and Soldiers. This is a soft boiled egg with its top cracked open. “Soldiers” are thin strips of toast. They are dipped in the egg with a pinch of salt. Pleasant with morning coffee. This is often served in Paris bistros as an appetizer and the toast strips are called “batons.” BSK makes perfect poached eggs and they top hash, grits, polenta and scores of other dishes. HG’s favorite is Shakshuka, a Middle Eastern vegetable stew topped with poached egss and served with yogurt sauce, pita and fiery harissa. BSK’s scrambled eggs are soft and creamy after being cooked over low heat in a special Paderno pan. A smidgen of hot sauce is BSK’s taste secret. BSK’s omelets are masterpieces—stuffed with feta cheese or veggies—mushrooms,zucchini, spinach, etc. Last night HG had a lush feta cheese omelet with a mound of Greek yogurt. Once more, HG contemplated HG’s good fortune in spending the last 60 years eating eggs with BSK.

Chez Riva

February 25th, 2024 § 0 comments § permalink

Dinner last night at Chez Riva, the art and book filled Riverside, RI, home (quick drive from HG/BSK’s Central Falls loft) of gifted daughter Lesley R. and brilliant husband, Massimo R. Warmed by a wood stove fire, the group were delighted by the sunset over the home’s spectacular water view. Massimo poured an icy sparkling rose’, the perfect drink with an hors d’oeuvre of whitefish salad. Off to the dinner table for briny Rhode Island oysters. A lusty mushroom pasta featuring a melange of mushrooms including porcini and shitake followed. Generous dusting of freshly grated parmesan and grinds of black pepper brought HG to pasta heaven. Cheese course of fontina and gorgonzola with fig jam. Wine was a tasty red Bordeaux uncorked by Profesore Massimo. Lesley climaxed the meal for HG with a bowl of chocolate chip ice cream. Fagmilia !!!

HG is a very lucky 94-year-old.

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